3 posts categorized "Lance Louis"

October 14, 2009

Bears coach Lo vie Smith is aware that rookie offensive lineman Lance Louis was charged with misdemeanor assault stemming from an incident in college. But don't expect Louis, who has a court date Oct. 23, to be disciplined by the team before then.

``We will let it play out, let it go through the court system then respond after that,'' Smith said Wednesday.

Greg Aile from the NFL office said Louis' case will be reviewed under the league's personal conduct policy ``because the charges were filed after he entered the NFL.''

Asked if the league had already spoken to the Bears, Aiello responded via email, ``We don't have any further comment.''

Asked how Louis' charge would be viewed, Aiello said, ``Obviously, a felony is more serious charge than a misdemeanor.''

Louis declined to comment about the situation. He is in the process of securing representation and expects to have an attorney in place by next week.

Louis faces the maximum of one year in prison and a $10,000 fine following an altercation with former San Diego State teammate Nick Sandford last November. The alleged attack occurred in the team meeting room, leaving Sandford with a concussion, broken eardrum and fractured cheekbone.Sandford apparently instigated the incident by poking Louis with a stick,

Louis, a seventh-round pick, has been inactive for all four games this season.

Bears rookie offensive lineman Lance Louis was mum when asked about misdemeanor assault charges brought against him stemming from a college incident last November.

Louis faces the maximum of one year in prison and a $10,000 fine following an altercation with former San Diego State teammate Nick Sandford. Louis allegedly attacked Louis, a safety, in the meeting room. Sandford suffered a concussion, broken eardrum and fractured cheekbone. The alleged incident apparently took place after Sandford poked Louis in the rear with a stick earlier that day in the locker room.

Pressed about the issue, Louis seemed confident that the matter would be resolved without a severe punishment. Lovie Smith is likely to address Louis' status with the team following Wednesday's practice.

Louis' arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 23 in San Diego, but he is not required to attend. Louis declined to comment about the incident during training camp.

Louis, a seventh-round pick, made the 53-man roster but has been inactive for all four games this season.

Louis could face league discpline for the incident, as reported by profootballtalk.comp>

Scott Hagel, the Bears' senior director of communications, said the team was aware of the fight but also aware that no follow-up was immediately made by either the police or the university. Louis was not suspended for the incident. He was drafted by the Bears in the seventh round of April's NFL Draft.

Louis was not available Friday afternoon during lunch-time interviews. Head coach Lovie Smith is expected to address the matter after today's 3 p.m. practice. There are no immediate plans to release Louis, who adds depth at guard for an offensive line in need of bodies. But Louis could be a longshot to make the 53-man roster regardless, with the Bears likely to keep eight offensive linemen.

Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza, Orlando Pace, Chris Williams, and Josh Beekman or Frank Omiyale look like the starters, with Kevin Shaffer seventh, leaving probably one spot for a group that includes Louis, Dan Buenning, Tyler Reed, and Cody Balogh.